Luis Díaz was one of the key players in FC Bayern’s spectacular 4-5 draw at Paris Saint-Germain – and is emblematic of a development that has long been causing a stir in Munich. While Harry Kane and Michael Olise regularly dominate the headlines, the Colombian has developed into perhaps the most complete attacking player in Vincent Kompany’s squad
The transfer last summer was initially viewed critically. Bayern invested around €70 million in a 28-year-old who was no longer considered indispensable at Liverpool FC. Added to this was the initial situation: Díaz was only the third option internally. Florian Wirtz decided against Munich, Nick Woltemade was too expensive for those responsible – only then did Díaz come into focus
Today, this sequence seems almost like a stroke of luck, as the Colombian has developed from a supposed emergency transfer into one of the most important components of Munich’s attacking play in just a few months
Top-level numbers – even greater influence
His statistics speak for themselves. Díaz has 26 goals and 21 assists in all competitions – only just behind Michael Olise. Together with Olise and Kane, he has broken the 100-goal mark and is the most dangerous attacking trio in Europe
But his importance goes far beyond numbers. Díaz embodies exactly the mentality that Kompany demands: maximum intensity, uncompromising pressing and an absolute willingness to take on defensive responsibility. Hardly any other attacking player in the Bayern squad works so consistently against the ball and at the same time completes his actions forward with such determination
In addition, there is a factor that is often underestimated in a long season: reliability. Since his arrival in Munich, Díaz has not missed a competitive match due to injury – a value that makes him even more valuable in a squad marked by absences
In the shadow of Kane and Olise
Díaz’s influence on Bayern’s play was particularly evident in the game against PSG, where he was directly involved in two goals with a goal and an assist, repeatedly making pinpricks down the left flank and forcing the Parisian defense into mistakes
The fact that he is still often overshadowed by Kane and Olise is mainly due to his style. Díaz is not a loudspeaker, not one for grand gestures – but a player who performs. That is precisely what makes him so valuable to the record champions at the moment
Or to put it another way: while others shine, Díaz ensures that the system works. And that is precisely why he has long been more than just a good transfer – he is one of the key reasons for FC Bayern’s success this season.